As lawmakers push to bolster short-term training, some raise concerns about quality and unintended consequences

A bipartisan push to bolster short-term training and certificate programs has prompted a debate in Congress over how to ensure it doesn’t spawn a proliferation of shoddy programs or steer minorities into lower-paying fields.

A Republican rewrite of the Higher Education Act, passed by a House committee last month, would provide more loans and grants for students entering these programs. The training costs less than traditional degrees and equips students with technical skills that translate directly into jobs, advocates say.